Three window styles
How a window opens decides how much air you get, whether it can stay open in the rain, and what it does to the space outside.
Side hung windows
- Opens: outward, hinged on one side
- Air: the whole sash swings clear
- Suits: bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens
Top hung windows
- Opens: outward from the bottom, hinged at the top
- Air: a sheltered gap that can stay open in light rain
- Suits: bathrooms, kitchens, vents over doors
Horizontal sliding windows
- Opens: one sash slides across the other
- Air: up to about half the window
- Suits: windows beside paths, patios and passages
A single window can combine styles, such as a side hung sash beside fixed glass with a top hung vent above. The layout is settled when we measure each opening. For a room-by-room view, read choosing an aluminium window style.
Replacing old windows
Old steel windows rust and old timber frames rot, swell and stick. Aluminium does not rust the way steel does, and it needs little more than regular washing.
A replacement starts with taking out the old frame. Steel windows are often built into the wall, so some plaster around the opening has to come away. The new aluminium frame is fixed and sealed, then the plaster is made good, ready for painting.
If you are replacing only some of the windows in a house, the new frames can be finished to match the colour of the ones you are keeping.
Burglar bars and security
Side hung and top hung windows open outward, so burglar bars fitted on the inside do not get in the way of the sash. With horizontal sliding windows the sash moves within the frame, so bars can go on either side.
If you plan to add bars or a trellis gate at the same time, tell us when you request a quote so the installation allows for them.
Windows we have installed
Window questions
Which window style lets in the most air?
A side hung window, because the whole sash swings open. A horizontal sliding window opens at most about half its width.
Which windows can stay open when it rains?
Top hung windows. The open sash leans out over the gap like a small awning, so light rain runs off it. Close it in heavy, wind-driven rain.
Can new windows go into the old openings?
Usually, yes. Replacement frames are supplied to the measured size of each opening, and the plaster around them is made good after fitting.
Do aluminium windows come in colours other than white?
Yes, any colour. Charcoal, bronze and white all appear in our photos.
Do your doors and windows carry a warranty?
Yes. The doors, windows and hardware we supply carry their suppliers’ warranties.